Bell Air Radios
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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Location: Sydney, NSW
Member since 28 January 2011
Member #: 823
Postcount: 6678
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According to Radiomuseum:
"Belair Enterprises, 12923 Cerise Avenue, Hawthorne CA90250 (1970). Belair is known as manufacturer of 8-track stereo systems but was much more successful with a range of radio-phonographs and radios."
I agree that it looks made in Japan, and there's a YouTube clip of a Bel Air 3-band set that is labelled 'Made in Japan'.
Back in the day, it was not unknown for such early Japanese transistor radios to "borrow" American brands, and Made in USA was not necessarily true either.
Those of us who grew up in the 1950s will recall that "Made in Japan" back then was akin to "Made in China" these days. The Japanese quickly learned (ironically from American consultants) about quality control and by the 1970s they dominated a number of markets.
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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Hi G,
The funny thing about that is ,i love japanese electronics ,mainly their 60s stuff though. I dont come across it much though ,small radios I do but no big stuff, I had a nivico radiogram , I would be over the moon if I found a good japanese radiogram ,but I'm not holding my breath.
That little radio ,its a bit hard to date ,i was thinking about 1960 ,
.what do you think?
All the best pete
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Location: Sydney, NSW
Member since 28 January 2011
Member #: 823
Postcount: 6678
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Location: Belrose, NSW
Member since 31 December 2015
Member #: 1844
Postcount: 2363
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It's a 1 or 2 transistor TRF driving a crystal earphone.
I was given a similar one for Christmas 1957. Main differences - two AA batteries, plugging in the earphone switched it on.
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Location: Hobart, TAS
Member since 31 July 2016
Member #: 1959
Postcount: 543
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Looking at the components, ie, diode, electro, disc ceramics, and shiny 10k resistor I'd say very late 60's or early 70's.
JJ
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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Hello Ian,,,its s prototype mp3 haha,,,when I was about 4 I was given a crystal radio set and I would clip it onto the metal blinds in bed snd listen to the radio,,,,,i swapped it for a turtle with a kid down the street and our dog ate the Turtle so I lost out on both accounts.
Pete
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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Hello Johnny,
I would of thought it was older than that,but I dont have any information on it yet,,,i will see what I can find out on the net tonight.
All the best, pete
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Location: Sydney, NSW
Member since 28 January 2011
Member #: 823
Postcount: 6678
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I'm sticking with late 50s or early 60s. Tandy Radio Shack quality.
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Location: Hobart, TAS
Member since 31 July 2016
Member #: 1959
Postcount: 543
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Radial(single ended) electros were not available in 1958 when I built my first transistor radio.
Using OC44 transistor, which cost approx 1/4 of a weeks wages. About $200 by todays standards.
Still think the Bel-Air is late 60's.
JJ
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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You maybe right jj ,you would have a better idea of it than I would,
Either way its a fun old radio
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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Location: Hobart, TAS
Member since 31 July 2016
Member #: 1959
Postcount: 543
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Very interesting.
The futura Boys 2 transistor radio as discussed in detail in "antiqueradios" forum, has older components than yours.
Can you see the numbers on the transistor/s.
That would give us a good indication of age.
JJ
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Location: Albury, NSW
Member since 1 May 2016
Member #: 1919
Postcount: 2048
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I will have a look,,my eyes are not my best point
Ok jj,, I had a look under the glass,,no number on it.but I have seen that diode in very early american stuff o the net,,well looks like its 59 60 or there abouts
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